Marett Schieber Has Earned Top 4-H Livestock Honors

Although only 14 years old, Marett Schieber has a strong history of earning top 4-H livestock honors at the Richland County Fair.

Marett became involved in livestock judging about six years ago with the support of her parents, Gary and Laura Schieber. In that first year, Marett was selected for the reserve champion novice sheep showmanship award.

She followed that up by having her market hog earn grand champion honors in 2016. She then won the grand champion award for novice swine showmanship.

After taking home the reserve champion honor for breeding sheep the next year, she earned grand champion honors for breeding sheep in 2018.

Last year, she captured reserve champion honors for breeding sheep. Her steers have earned blue ribbons in each of the last two years. She gets her steers from her grandfather, Gene Sondeno, of Fairview each year.

For this year's Fair, she will have entries for market steer, market lamb, market breeding sheep and heifer. Her younger sister, Maddie, had the grand champion steer last year, but Marett is confident in her chances this time around.

Marett also is confident that her market lamb and breeding sheep project will be judged well, but she expects great competition.

"A lot of people were able to spend more time with their animals because of school being closed," Marett said. "But everybody was worried to see if Fair was going to be cancelled or not."

Although the Fair was cancelled, the 4-H portion is being held in a non-public format. The livestock sale will take place online on Friday, Aug. 7, at 3 p.m. The Schiebers noted that 4-H families are very thankful with how much work that Extension agent Josie Evenson has done to make the livestock sale and judging possible.

"It's going to be very different," Marett said of the Fair.

Marett, who is a member of the Richland Aces' 4-H Club, is also active in swimming, volleyball and hockey. Her other 4-H activities include sewing and veterinary science.